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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.22.26
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Ethan
1:11
If the Pirates keep Bart are they at least gonna have him bring a 1B mitt to Bradenton? He's pretty bad at basically every aspect of catcher defense (ERA with him behind the plate vs. Davis was almost 2 runs higher too) and he'd best fit as a platoon partner with Horwitz
Jason Mackey
1:12
That's O'Hearn, though. If Bart is on the roster, yeah, I could see them trying that. They almost have to if they want to get Bart's bat in the lineup. But I still think he gets traded.
Alex
1:12
Just for fun, let's say we come out of the lock out with a cap/floor and they give teams 3 years to get compliant with the cap.  Do you think that increases the odds of a Skenes extension?  Personally I think it would.
Jason Mackey
1:12
For about the 12th time in this chat, have to win. If there's a cap, floor and the Pirates are winning, sure. Have to win.
Buccos
1:12
Are they looking at starters like littel? Good innings eater
Jason Mackey
1:13
He might be above where they're at. But I agree. Would make sense. Have not heard that name mentioned as much as Anderson & Quintana.

Which I get, BTW. Given the rest of their rotation, they don't need to spend what Littell will get.
Cullen
1:13
Am I crazy not being as down on Termarr as other fans and prospect rankings are? I know he had a down year all things considered but really a guy producing his numbers at age 20 and 21 seasons at AA with his underlying metrics isn't exactly something to scoff at. I've watched enough baseball to know that it doesn't matter until he is at the big leagues though...What do you think? Also what is the orgs view of Termarr and how his development is going?
Jason Mackey
1:15
I think people are jumping the gun on Termarr, personally. I like him. But he's 21 and coming off a .745 OPS season at Double-A. He has not yet played in Triple-A. I need to see a lot more before we start celebrating or worrying about anything.

If he becomes a trade piece, I'm OK with that because Griffin is my SS of the future, and I have a need right now at 3B. In the interim, I wanna see what he does at Triple-A, if he can become my future 2B.

I like his swing. Has a decent amount of pop. I'd like to see more regular contact. I don't think he's a shortstop.
Wayward
1:15
Jason, in general what type of player/package would the Bucs need to send to Texas for Jung?
Jason Mackey
1:17
These are tough. But he's still only 27 and has years of team control ... that tends to drive up the price. But I don't know, fill a major league need plus a decent prospect? I'm spitballing.
Cullen
1:17
Trade for Paderes, Bohm, Mayo, Jung, etc, extend Konnor4real, sign Cutch and Quintana and baby we've got a stew going. What are the chances of all that happening? If you were a betting man which would you say are the most likely outcomes?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I don't think it's crazy. I think trading for a 3B will happen. I think Anderson or Quintana will happen. I'm less optimistic on Griffin and McCutchen.
Matt
1:18
Guys like Jaxon cheerio and Roman Anthony got big extensions practically before playing a big league game. Wood Konnor Griffin get Roman Anthony type money if they were to extend him? Do you think it is beneficial to go ahead and try to do that before or during spring training?
Jason Mackey
1:19
It would. And I think that would be a reasonable comp if I was in Griffin's camp. That's why I said to Cullen I question Griffin getting done.

I could see the Pirates trying to do something like the Brewers did with Chourio. Like 8 years, $82 million. Well, Roman Anthony was at $130 or $134 million. That's a big gap. Where will the Pirates fall on that spectrum and does that get it done? That's the big question here.
Jim
1:20
You keep brining up Jordan Westburg as an option for third base. I haven’t seen one of thing this offseason saying he’s even remotely available.
Jason Mackey
1:21
I never said he was. But Baltimore has plenty of infielders. Pitching is currency. The part you're leaving out, Jim, is that I've also said a bunch that I don't think it's likely because the price would be too high. In other words, the Orioles aren't interested in moving him.
Matt
1:21
Would the market dictate that Konnor Griffin get Roman Anthony type money or better? I also think that if they do this for him now he might be more inclined to stay even after the contract is up.
Jason Mackey
1:22
I would have to think Griffin and his agents are aware of the Anthony deal. Now, would he take less because that's the Pirates' offer and the certainty is still very good and lucrative? I don't know. But I think the market has evolved beyond Chourio.
Custodio
1:22
Why were there such drastically different rankings between pipeline and BA on jeancer custodio?
Jason Mackey
1:23
I don't know. Would probably be a better question for their people. I asked to speak with Max Kwan and never heard back from the Pirates. No one else from the org has spoken recently to afford us the opportunity to ask said question.
Cody
1:23
Other than griffin where can the get a power at?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Bunch of options out there, Cody. Please tell me I don't need to go through them again.
Starting pitching
1:23
Any news on potential adds? Would love a vet like verlander or inngs eater like zach littel (one less than skenes)
Jason Mackey
1:24
I wouldn't hold your breath on Verlander, sadly. And probably both. I think Littell will get a nice deal. Pirates have the pitching. They don't need to spend there. Need to add more offense.
Harrington
1:24
Does Thomas hold much value?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Yes. Young controllable pitching. Yes. I just don't want them to trade more of it.
Intense
1:24
Great article Jason about Skenes training. Sounds like he really wants to win. If only the ownership of the club felt the same way
Jason Mackey
1:24
Thank you, Intense. He's certainly something else.
Stevie
1:24
Not a lot of Termarr talk this offseason. Why didn’t he play in the playoffs last year? There was talk of some stuff detrimental to the team.
Jason Mackey
1:25
I don't know, Stevie. I'm sorry. I was a columnist, not a beat writer, and honestly barely followed Altoona because I was busy with other things. Haven't talked much about Termarr this offseason because I don't think he's gonna be part of the major league team to start, and he still has some development to go. Plenty of time to talk about him if he starts strong in Triple-A.
Derek
1:26
If the season started today the bench would be Suwinski, Yorke, one of Davis or Bart and who knows about the fourth. Any rumors about them and Urias or Renfigo? This is why they can’t go into the season with Triolo and Gonzales as the starters at short and third. It gives them zero depth
Jason Mackey
1:27
No rumors about Urias or ... I'm guessing you mean Rengifo, who hit .238 with a .622 OPS last season. Not sure that's the key to their season. They need to acquire a better bat at 3B. Absolutely. But those are bit part guys who aren't any different than Triolo or Nick G.
That it ?
1:27
So still gapping holes is this lineup and absolute crickets from this management team. They really think we're dumb enough to accept a half, or quarter finished job ?
Jason Mackey
1:28
Ask them about it. They're talking Saturday. Don't know what you want me to tell you. They need to keep adding. Spring training hasn't started. Theh season doesn't start until 2+ months from now.
RO
1:28
Could they potentially be waiting to extend KG until shortly after he debuts so he’s eligible for PPI benefits? I believe if you extend him before he debuts he’d be ineligible.
Jason Mackey
1:29
No. I think they're gonna talk in February-March because that's when those things usually happen. He just got married. On his honeymoon now. I get the sentiment, but I think the reasoning is simpler than that.
Derek
1:29
They still have 3+ million in international pool money left. Any idea what happened there? Why is there so much leftover?
Jason Mackey
1:29
Not sure, Derek. I'll look into it and ask whenever we have an opportunity to talk to Cherington next.
Jimbo
1:29
Does Nutting have the backbone to hold out for a salary cap/floor system. Is m
Jason Mackey
1:30
I sure hope so. MLB needs it. And he told me a few years ago he wants that, along with revenue sharing.. Now is most certainly the time.
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